Sportsman's and Boat show opportunities

[GregE]

Check the dates for your area and lets make an effort to have regional AO member get togethers.  We used to do much better with Mark helping to organize events


  Here's a link to get things started. 

https://www.huntingfishingandoutdoorshows.com/west.html

[davidsea]

  Seattle Boat Show....Feb. 2-10    Defiance Marine listed as exhibitor.

[ohmytodd]

Feb 24 and 25 is the saltwater sportsmen's show in Salem...

https://saltwatersportsmensshow.com/

I'll be there for sure on Saturday, likely sticking around for the raffle at 4pm.

[Yachter Yat]

  The New England Boat Show is in Boston Jan.10-14. I just looked through the exhibitor list and many of their websites. I'll be "passing" again this year as it appears to be the "same old same old". Nothing but a hashed-over and re-colored collection of CC's, bow riders and assorted "monsters" no one can afford. I simply don't understand how these manufacturers can stay in business.

  I'll tell ya:  If was a little younger, I'd invest in a small boat building company and develop a 13, and possibly a 15 footer, that would "suck their market dry". I would be like actor Daniel Day-Lewis, addressing fellow actor Paul Dano from this scene in the movie "There Will Be Blood". 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5d9BrLN5K4

Yat 

[GoodDays]

I have found that I can normally squeeze in the tail end of the Puyallup Outdoors show and the Seattle Boat show into one trip down from Vancouver Island.  Maybe this year ?

GoodDays Greg   

[GregE]

GD Greg  I'll plan to meet you if/ when you come down-  date tbd.  HOpe others will too.
I do plan to attend the Portland show and hope to meet BestBoats and others- again date tbd.

Lets get some coordination going folks- time is getting short!

[Hydroman]

The Portland Boat show is this weekend.

[Rifleman]

I am looking forward to the Sportsman show in Puyallup. I will go opening day early, wishfully thinking it might not be too crowded.
 When Greg and the rest of you come up with a date/time I will join you. Notice that Silencer Central has a booth and I'd like to get another silencer. Oh Boy, Russ

[GregE]

The Portland Boat show is this weekend.

Yep, I hadn't considered it planning for the Sportsman's show Feb 15-19

[Yachter Yat]

Seattle Boat Show....Feb. 2-10    Defiance Marine listed as exhibitor.

   If anybody is willing, some of us might find pics of that exhibit interesting.

Yat

[GoodDays]

GD Greg  I'll plan to meet you if/ when you come down-  date tbd.  HOpe others will too.
I do plan to attend the Portland show and hope to meet BestBoats and others- again date tbd.

Lets get some coordination going folks- time is getting short!

Doesnt look like I will make the pilgrimage this year. I am retiring in April and will have a LOT more time for fun after that !!

[Kimbrey]

I more than likely will make it up for a day trip to the Puyallup show.  Doubt I'll go to the Seattle Boat Show as I was kind of disappointed in it last year but I was more interested in gear et cetera versus boats.  I have my last boat.....I think. 

I am kicking the idea of the Salem Sportsman show around.  If some gear would be available that I'd be interested in Oregon with no sales tax would be nice.  The wife and I want to break the trailer out for a short little trip since we've only had it out once since purchase last fall.  Need to figure a decent rv park close to Salem.  Salem would have to be the last stop on the trip as we'd be cutting it short to get back and then up to Tacoma/Federal way for her every 28 day cancer treatments.  Anyway the short little trip would consist of Astoria area, an RV park on the Columbia near Woodland and then Salem.  We were going to do the same trip for the Portland boat show but canceled everything with the cold wx reports.

[amazing grace]

Check with Tunacious  on Salem info. Betting he could provide some local knowledge for you.

[Hydroman]

I more than likely will make it up for a day trip to the Puyallup show.  Doubt I'll go to the Seattle Boat Show as I was kind of disappointed in it last year but I was more interested in gear et cetera versus boats.  I have my last boat.....I think. 

I am kicking the idea of the Salem Sportsman show around.  If some gear would be available that I'd be interested in Oregon with no sales tax would be nice.  The wife and I want to break the trailer out for a short little trip since we've only had it out once since purchase last fall.  Need to figure a decent rv park close to Salem.  Salem would have to be the last stop on the trip as we'd be cutting it short to get back and then up to Tacoma/Federal way for her every 28 day cancer treatments.  Anyway the short little trip would consist of Astoria area, an RV park on the Columbia near Woodland and then Salem.  We were going to do the same trip for the Portland boat show but canceled everything with the cold wx reports.

Hee Hee Illahee RV Resort is a first rate RV park.

[Yachter Yat]

  I spent over an hour last night viewing a YouTube video of the 24 Toronto Boat Show.  I'm sorry folks, but if this is any indication of what these shows will be featuring this year, then I made the right choice to pass on the New England show. Forgive me, and please pardon my criticism, but (IMO) the best way I could describe what I saw, is that it looked like a collection of the most "insanely designed" and "ridiculously useless" crafts I've ever seen. Anyone who's owned boats and been on the water (especially 'salt' water) for any length of time, might look at these "offerings" as somewhat amusing.....to say the least.

  And if that isn't bad enough, I was blown-away at the current prices of some of these "creations". It's enough to send a railroad train to a dirt road. Ha  Honestly, I woke up this morning wondering:  Who the hell designs these things?  Beyond that, who the hell is willing to invest in the tooling to build 'em? It's beyond me.

    Something I found interesting is how there seemed to be so few people in attendance. I can still recall going to boat shows where you had to stand in line to board a boat. That said, I also found it interesting how there appeared to be more people around the jet ski exhibit. The pricing on those things has also gotten a bit shocking. Some showed as "starting" at close to $26K. Yes, I said "starting".  Add a trailer and a few "goodies", and I imagine we'd be 'kissing' $30K. Time to introduce my "Sea Scout", I guess. 

   BTW, if you have time on your hands and are willing to be 'tortured', you can take a look for yourself. And if you want to "chuckle", you can get a sample of what your money will buy by going to 39:38 in this vid. This displays a "nutty" little 17 foot Princecraft bow rider, made of "tin" and lined with some kind of "fuzzy stuff"....all for only $52,685.  Anyway, see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ely0X3ACPJY&t=2378s

Yat

[Peddler]

I am looking forward to the Sportsman show in Puyallup. I will go opening day early, wishfully thinking it might not be too crowded.
 When Greg and the rest of you come up with a date/time I will join you. Notice that Silencer Central has a booth and I'd like to get another silencer. Oh Boy, Russ

Having worked this show for many years until recently, Wednesday at show-open is usually pretty busy. The best day to miss the crowds is Thursday.

[GregE]

GD Greg  I'll plan to meet you if/ when you come down-  date tbd.  HOpe others will too.
I do plan to attend the Portland show and hope to meet BestBoats and others- again date tbd.

Lets get some coordination going folks- time is getting short!

Doesnt look like I will make the pilgrimage this year. I am retiring in April and will have a LOT more time for fun after that !!

Ah Rats....   Hope others will announce their intentions.  BTW, all that free time after retirement is a myth. 

Rifleman Russ,  Peddler is wise.  HOw about Thursday for the Puyallup show?

[Rifleman]

  I appreciate the info. I will plan on Thursday for the Puyallup show. I'll be the short, gray haired, balding overweight guy wearing an old hunting cap.
Hope to see you all, Rifleman

[davidsea]

   I'm planning to go to the Seattle show, more to see a couple of old friends who are vendors than to see all the boats I don't want/can't afford.  Which day I go doesn't matter much, anyone else there on a particular day ?? 

[pgbrown]

I remember last year leaving the show and telling my wife "Well, remind me next year it's ok to skip the boat show "  But here it is and I always like to wander around and see shiny things.  No specific days planned and can go pretty much anytime. 

[Playin Hooky]

The Bart Hall Show in Long Beach starts this Thursday 1/25.  I'll be headed there Thursday.  Hours are noon to 7pm if anyone in So Cal is interested in joining. 

[GregE]

Hope things work out for meeting several folks.  I plan to attend the Puyallup Sportsman's show Feb 1.  Rifleman is planning on the same day.  Others ???

I'm looking at the second day for the Portland show also- Feb 15 but can shift if others have a better choice.

Whose on first??   

[GregE]

Bump

Cmon folks-  time is getting short and opportunities shouldn't be lost.

[PNWMatt2023]

I'll be down at the Seattle Boat Show tomorrow morning when they open. Planning on visiting Defiance, Garmin, Imtra (Zipwake Interceptor Owner Group), Lynnwood Motoplex and Centurion Boats. Plan on being there at open.

[BigMac]

Plan to be at the Portland Sportsmans Show on Thursday afternoon, February 15th, to catch a couple seminars and check out the main show.
Would try to stay later if a get together was happening at the usual place.
Dave